Well it's time for my full write-up.
Organising IISAC events is like a rollercoaster.. bursts of activity, then a lull, then more activity, leading up to the event can be quite stressful. During the event it's no different. Lots to do at certain times, but hopefully enough time to relax and enjoy people's company and just enjoy the experience.
When it's over, I breathe a huge sigh of relief that it's over for another year. But a day or two later, I'm usually ready to do it all again after remembering the great times that were had.
That's where I am now. Had loads of fun and can't wait to do it again, but know that in the month before the event wonder why I go to all the effort
First I'll start with the thanks, because without them, the event would be much more stressful.
To the sponsors: OzScopes, FLI Camera and Wildcard Innovations. Your ongoing support of IceInSpace and the amateur astronomy community is much appreciated.
To the guest speakers: John Sarkissian, Mark Suchting, Gary Kopff, John Bambury and Alex Massey. Thanks for taking the time to give up your knowledge and expertise for the attendees.
To Al Meehan: For the shirts. They turned out great! Thanks!
To Fred "Bassnut" Vanderhaven: Yes he's a crazy scientist, but what a legend. Bringing his PA gear each year and setting it up so we have a good mic and speakers, and can broadcast down to the bottom field. All out of the goodness of his heart.
To the Gresford RFB: For awesome meals each night. I honestly don't know why everyone doesn't use them. For $15, you get a 3 course meal, often with seconds. More than enough food, always good quality and they pack up and clean up and take everything away with them. Can't get better value than that. It means you don't need to bring food for dinners - so easy!
Unfortunately though, the reduced camp numbers and the reduced number of people choosing the Gresford RFB catering means that it's getting to the point that they may not find it worthwhile anymore. I hope I can convince them to come back for the next one.
To the volunteers who helped out at the camp with setting up on Thursday morning and packing up on Sunday morning: I probably won't remember everyone and I'm sorry for that, but Al Sheehan, Stan Duoba, Bob Jones, Peter Langdown and wife, Wayne Williams, Eric Kingston. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. You guys are legends.
Noone volunteers to hose out the toilet block after 3 days of a camp. But Eric did!
It was so great to meet people for the first time, after knowing them for years online - especially Jeanette and Eric. Jeanette was a pleasure to have around. Always happy and smiling
And laughing
Great to catch up with regular friends like Fred, Mike, Chris, Guy, Al, Gary and Mai, the pony clubbers and more.
It's a shame some other regulars couldn't make it this year.
It's a shame that the numbers were down overall. We had about 100 registrations which was down on last year, and only about 80 of those 100 turned up. Some families that normally come couldn't make it, and also being outside of school holidays, the registration of families was down in a big way since the kids were at school.
I hope there's a bigger registration next year, it's getting close to the point where it's too difficult to put on for the numbers - especially with the marquee.
Saturday afternoon formalities were also down with some people having left earlier in the day due to the inclement weather forecast (which was wrong and it was a beautiful night
). It's just a shame when such great talks like Gary and John's weren't as well attended. And it's a little embarrassing for me. Makes me question whether to do the guest speakers but I know some who were looking forward to the talks all weekend and some people get a lot of out of them.
Anyway everyone has their reasons and I don't begrudge anyone for that. Not everyone goes for the talks or has time, etc. I don't expect everyone to go to them. At SPSP I don't attend all the talks either.
But I do hope it's better next time, both registrations and attendance for the camp and the talks
The lucky door prizes were won by:
- OzScopes 8" dob: Chris Bond
- FLI Camera filterset: Andrew Fry or Andrew Kaye.
- Argo Navis voucher: Dennis Zambellis family
There were about 10 people that missed out on winning the prizes because they were pulled out of the barrel but had either already left or didn't attend
The group photo is attached, and you can download larger versions here:
IISAC2011 Group Photo - 1200px wide
IISAC2011 Group Photo - 1944px wide
Some of my favourite moments of the weekend include:
- Meeting Jeanette
- John Sarkissian's talk. I just loved the history and the photos.
- The unexpected clear skies!
- Saturday night around "Lake IISAC". The cacophony of frogs, Al's brilliant guitar playing, the beautiful skies with quite a few meteors, and the company of friends. It doesn't get any better than that.
Looking forward to the next one. The date will be announced in the next day or two.
Thanks guys!
well ladies, you already know, don't you! 
